Country Range Student Chef Challenge 2023 winners revealed
The 2023 Challenge came to a thrilling conclusion at the Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) Show at Excel in London on Tuesday 21 March
Promising young chefs Marta Sagan, George Oakes and Jack Georgiou from Westminster Kingsway College triumphed in the live final under the watchful eyes of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ judges with their flavour-packed menu, high-level cookery techniques and all-round teamwork and organisation.
In addition to competing for the Country Range Student Chef Challenge 2023 title, all the finalists were also graded by the Craft Guild of Chefs to international judging standards with Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit certificates awarded. Students from Loughborough College came close in second place, with the team from Ayrshire College claiming third spot.
Competing against four other colleges from around the UK, Westminster Kingsway’s talented trio, who were under the guidance of lecturer Norman Fu, had to recreate their three-course, four-cover menu within 90 minutes in front of a live theatre audience.
The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Around the World’, which encouraged the students to research different countries and be inspired by various ingredients, flavours and cooking techniques from across the globe. Mexico was the focus for the starter, Africa for the main, and Australia for the dessert.
Westminster Kingsway College’s winning menu consisted of:
- Starter: Deep Fried Guacamole, Guacamole Garnish, Leche de Tigre shot
- Main: Ras El Hanout Breast of Squab, Squab Pastilla, Chargrilled Tenderstem Broccoli, Ful Medames, Pomegranate Jus
- Dessert: Cherry Ripe Tim Tan
As well as claiming the Country Range Student Chef Challenge crown, Marta, George and Jack also won a Flint & Flame knife, an overnight stay and meal at a Michelin star restaurant, and the opportunity to experience working at the same restaurant.
Speaking after the victory, George Oakes said: “It feels absolutely amazing to have won and we’re all still in shock. It was definitely a tough challenge but we were really pleased with the dishes we put out so winning is just brilliant. It was great working as team and we’ve all grown close throughout the process so sharing the moment together is extra special. I’m not sure it will sink in for a while that we’ve won!”
In addition to competing for the Country Range Student Chef Challenge 2023 title, all the finalists were also graded by the Craft Guild of Chefs to international judging standards with Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit certificates awarded. The full list of Craft Guild of Chefs awards were as follows:
- Gold: Westminster Kingsway College
- Silver: Ayrshire College, Loughborough Colleg
- Merit: Cambridge College, West Suffolk College
The Loughborough College team also won the accolade of winning the Country Range Student Chef Challenge Team Competition Hygiene Award.
Norman Fu, lecturer of the winning team for Westminster Kingsway College, commented: “I’m so happy and proud of the team for winning and I’m sure this is only the beginning for them as they are all very talented young chefs. It can be a pressurised kitchen to cook in with the audience and judges watching your every move but they handled it excellently and have been rewarded with the ultimate prize.”
Graham Caldwell, Country Range Group Marketing Manager and Challenge Organiser, added: “Well done to the Westminster Kingsway College team on their deserving victory. The standard on show in the final was fantastic with some amazing dishes served up by all the students. Competitions like the Country Range Student Chef Challenge are vital in demonstrating to students what can be achieved from a career in hospitality and I think the chefs showed everyone that the future of our culinary industry is in very safe hands.”
Country Range Group Country Range Group Student Chef Challenge Graham Caldwell
